Snowboards

Choosing the right snowboard can be a formidable task - especially when you're confronted with so many to select from.   A good starting point to narrow down your selection is to decide what type of riding you are most likely to be doing.   Freestyle snowboarders will want to opt for a different type of snowboard than those mainly doing all mountain type riding.   Freestyle snowboards tend to have a certain amount of overlap with their freeride cousins.  They tend to be considered more manoeuvrable but have less float in powdery conditions and might show signs of instability when carving fast.

Another factor to take into account is that shorter snowboards can be easier and more responsive to turn than a long one.   However, longer snowboards tend to exhibit better stability at higher speeds.   This is because it won't bounce around and wobble as much as a shorter one owing to more board surface area being in contact with the snow. 

A rider's weight is an important determinant in choosing a suitable snowboard length.   Many producers specify weight ranges for their snowboards which have a correlation with board length.   Once you've established some feel for the sort of board length that is right for you, then you can make some fine tune adjustments based on the type of riding you expect to be doing.   As a rule of thumb you can add a couple of centimetres if you enjoy carving and are hanging out for long powder runs in the back country or reduce a couple if you want greater manoeuvrability on the piste and hope to do some hot shot tricks in the park.

Apart from the look and appearance of the snowboard another matter to consider in selecting a board is how stiff it will be.  Longer snowboards will have a tendency to be stiffer to suit the heavier riders.   A stiff board can afford the rider greater stability at speed and in carved turns but may be somewhat unforgiving for a beginner to snowboarding.   Even though it may be stiff at the outset, they will usually soften up a bit with use.   Therefore, stiffer snowboards may last longer before it's time for replacement.

Oh - and you can always ask a pro what they think the best type of snowboard is.   After all, there's nothing that quite beats years of experience!

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